FCO: Choudhury re-posted to UK
Governor Anwar Choudhury
(CNS) UPDATED: Cayman Islands Governor Anwar Choudhury will not be returning to the Cayman Islands but will be re-posted to London, according to an extremely brief statement from the governor’s office on Thursday. Officials said that a short-term successor will now be appointed while the recruitment process for a permanent replacement begins. Choudhury was suspended from the job more than three months ago and recalled to the UK, following unspecified allegations against him from his household and office staff, understood to relate to bullying. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office appears to have completed the investigation but has not said anything at all about the findings.
Although Choudhury has not been fired, the fact that he is not returning to this posting is an indication that he was not completely cleared of wrongdoing regarding the unspecified complaints. But the FCO is not commenting on the results of the inquiry into the governor, who served for just a few months, having arrived in March this year. Despite his brief stay, he had made a solid impression in that short time on the people of Cayman.
It is not clear if a petition started several months ago to have the governor returned as soon as possible was ever presented to the overseas territories minister, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon. CNS had reached out to the organisers of that petition on a number of occasions since it began circulating for updates on its progress but we have not received any response.
CNS has also reached out to FCO officials regarding further details of the investigation surrounding Choudhury and we are awaiting a response. But as the FCO has said it will not make any further comment, we are not expecting much more information from them. We have therefore also made a freedom of information request for reports and documentation about the process and the outcome.
Shortly after the statement from the governor’s office Opposition Leader Ezzard Miller released a statement expressing his disappointment that Choudhury will not be returning.
“This is particularly disconcerting as Mr Choudhury had won the hearts of the people of the Cayman Islands in the three months he was here, achieving a level of comfort and acceptance that the previous governor had not managed in five years,” Miller said on behalf of the opposition.
“Because of the affinity he had struck with the people of the Cayman Islands and their concerns, I had held out hope that Mr Choudhury would have been afforded the opportunity to continue to serve his term and make the changes that are so necessary to improving governance and to reducing corruption.”
Miller described that statement from the FCO as “high-handed” with an “autocratic tone” that “communicates a lack of respect for Caymanians”. He added, “The FCO seems to have forgotten that we have advanced since the early 20th century when dictates from our colonial masters were accepted without question.”
The opposition leader said the UK should have given a reason for Choudhury’s recall because the reposting to London suggested the “allegations against the governor could not have risen to any very serious level”.
Miller also raised concerns about the plan to replace Acting Governor Franz Manderson with a temporary governor.
“This similarly communicates disrespect in its implication that Mr Manderson’s performance has been prohibitive of his continuing to act until a replacement for Mr Choudhury is found. I assert that the recruitment process should not be so protracted that it would require an interim governor, with its inherent disruption and lack of continuity.
“I see no reason for Mr Manderson being sidelined and we unreservedly support his continuing in the post until a new governor is recruited,” Miller said, adding that sweeping Manderson aside added further insult to injury over the way this matter has been handled.
Category: Local News
Me Manderson should be allowed to continue until a replacement is found,
It makes absolutely no sense to put in a temp.
Idiotic decision if it happens.
Sick and tired of UK hypocrisy… have the audacity to lecture us on transparency for beneficial ownership, then the next day fire the governor and refuse to tell us what is going on???
For real?
You are so right 10 55 because in a previous report it stated that he was shot at at some place or other. He also just came from Peru so who knows what was brewing there or elsewhere.
It was a grenade attack.
Note the FCO reassigned him to another post. So, while he remains a UK civil servant he cannot tell his side. They’ll keep him until he’s 65 or until he resigns. Hope for the latter sooner, so we’ll hear the real reasons! We need to know!
Actually in his current pay grade he can retire at 60, which he’ll be next June. You still won’t find out what happened because I bet the FCO have done him a generous pay off deal attached to a gagging order to hush this all up. It’s like the suggestions being made about filing FOI requests to get at the ‘truth’ – waste of time because this is all confidential personal information that is protected by UK law. The only way the facts would come out was if this went to court and you can bet the FCO won’t let that happen.
so sorry Mr Choudry….you were such a breath of fresh air. The rouges are going straight ahead with the destruction of Hog Sty Bay. Thanks for your efforts to save Cayman from destruction.
Pretty sure your replacement with sit back, relax and enjoy watching the sunsets on the beach and watching the Caymanians destroy everything that the old folks held so dear. The new Gov won’t be making any waves here I’m sure.
This man was one thing to the public and another around his staff. His true persona came out when the cameras were off. Ask anyone who worked with him. He brought Trump to Cayman and somehow we thought he was the answer despite his short time here. Time would have proven him wrong.
We were too gullible by far and we wanted to hear what he was saying. The truth is that it takes regulation to govern and there are policy reasons behind that regulation. Simply saying that government is too big and too costly is too simplistic and is an appeal to populism. The fact is that there are few reasons or incentives for government to waste time and energy on useless regulation.
He spoke to some, and by the comments above it seems he spoke to many. But blanket proclamations about the sad state of government (which does quite a bit for us) is not helpful. He was not the answer. We are the answer. We don’t need him or those like him to fix us. The power is ours. If it needs fixing…
This is up to us to fix. Together.
Please please do not give the position to Franz Manderson. So happy to hear that he will be replaced with an interim governor
2:13 shame on you. I bet Franz did to you exactly what we said Anwar was doing. Holding people to account.
Mr Manderson we thank you for holding the fort and doing an excellent job.
Stop the hate and support our Governor.
Our Governor? When did we get our own?
If Miller’s concerns are meet to replace Mr Manderson , then the people should protest that Forbes go back to his home town .
I have to say I have had the best giggle of the week reading these comments. Let me see if I can summarize what I have read.
The UK removed their Governor because he stepped on some civil service toes. Yes I kid you not.
The UK allowed some of governor direct reports to remove him.
The removal of the Governor was some grand conspiracy to hurt Cayman.
The Governor who had been on island for less than 3 mths was well liked by caymanians. So he must be brought back. Although we don’t know what he did to be recalled. Just bring him back.
Yes folks as unbelievable and stupid as the summary above sounds that is exactly what has been posted.
So let me analyse.
The UK Governor is the ultimate head of the civil service and is charged with promoting good governance and human rights.
So let’s hear the complaint made. Which we know took months to be investigated
FCO the Governor you sent is working with the DG and his team on civil service reform. He is making civil servants work too hard so he is must go. UK response. How dare the Governor do his job. He must be recalled. Yes we must risk legal action by Anwar but he simply can’t be allowed to do the job we sent him to do. Really folks! Are you dumb or just stupid.
Complaint no2.
Premier and his team complained because he was promoting good Governance.
UK responds as stated above.
I can go on but I think you get the point.
Folks we don’t know the facts. But its clear to me that the FCO is not going to risk a huge lawsuit by removing a Governor for doing his job. You need to get your head examined if you think otherwise.
Let’s wish the former Governor well in his new job and pray that he has learned from this sorry episode. Let’s thank our acting Governor for holding the fort. Let’s welcome our temporary Governor when he arrives and give him or her the support needed.
Please stop posting nonsense. My sides are still hurting from reading your commical posts.
2:31 typical crab in the bucket. I am so happy I don’t live in your world.
Thank you Mr Manderson.
No one is suggesting that Franz be “given” the governorship. In fact it can’t be done.
What is suggested is that Franz could continue as he is now, as the acting governor, in the interim while they recruit a new governor.
That is because there is always a fairly long orientation and training period when new governors arrive. And incidentally Franz will be a key trainee.
It makes practical sense for Franz to continue until the new gov arrives. .
This is all likely being engineered by Matthew Forbes. It ia not the usual scenario for an English man to recommend a Caymanian.
And I have to say that I have worked closely with some past governors—not in recent times—and I was never aware of the tail wagging the dog in the governor’s office the way it is happening today.
Correction of typo in 10:20 am: Franz is a key trainer not “trainee”.
Franz? The Governor has to be a Brit appointed to represent the British interests over Cayman. The thought of a Caymanian Governor is nonsense.
Can’t help but wonder if this is all a larger part of the fight on beneficial ownership…
Here we are, “backwater island-territory”, fighting above our own weight for years in the financial industry and effectively competing with the city of London. They believe they know us well. Sending a muslim governor will cause community uproar and bring instability to the islands and send investors scurrying away fast as they can which will kill the financial service industry. Except, they forgot how welcoming we’ve always been to outsiders. How else could over 120 nationalities live here in relative peace. They didn’t bet on us embracing Choudhury, and he embracing us. And SO quickly too. So what do they do now? They get on-island staff to make complaints about the governor and they remove him from his post, pending investigation which they draw out only to not return him to his post afterwards.
The UK needs someone who is very clearly only looking out for the best interests of the UK in these times especially with the current fight on beneficial ownership. Observances would show that Mr. Choudhury loved Cayman and wanted to do everything (e.g. getting rid of unnecessary red-tape, routing out corruption) to help us prosper even more than we currently do. And the Cayman Islands prospering more than we already do, would only attract more investors…directly affecting the city of London.
I think your imagination is getting the better of you. The UK will impose what ever the hell BOR they want; the Governor has no say at all. In any event, like KYC, AML, FATCA a BOR won’t destroy our financial services industry, not even close.
Anonymous 12:19 pm , your theory of observation on how and why the Governor was removed is to the point, and a little more speculative could’ve completed it. Like when you have everything set up that you believes that is working good for you , then someone comes along and wants to make it better, and you can’t see it, and don’t want it changed .
The Democrats here calls it “resistance” . See how hard they are trying every day to get rid of President Trump . I am sure that if President was appointed like Mr. Choudhury , he would have been gone by now.
If this were really about something he supposedly did in Cayman the FCO investigation would have involved interviewing multiple people here. If that were the case, who really thinks that by now every last person here wouldn’t know all about it? My money is on something coming to light from a previous posting. Such a shame for Cayman.
How do you know if they interviewed people here or not? Do you know who the complaints are?
The complaints are from his office and home in Cayman, these persons reported to the FCOs rep in the Governors office here and passed on to the UK directly.
I’m. Pretty sure if he was to return to the island all of his staff in the house and his office would have resigned.
This has nothing to do with his previous postings.
It is a shame, as he appeared to be a good person for us here, we unfortunately don’t know what happens from behind closed doors.
Who’s gonna be next?
Please don’t say Franz, he is in the perfect role right now. When he comes to retirement age, it would be great to have him as our Governor.
10:55: my money is on collusion between Matthew Forbes (his position as head of the Governor’s Office was threatened); Alden (Choudhury was treading too closely on his territory); Manderson (Choudhury was lighting a fire under civil service malaise, red tape and corruption). There is your formula for getting rid of the fly in the ointment.
2:14…. you would lose your money. No Caymanian played a role in what the FCO did.
9:50 pm: I don’t know if the Caymanians named had a direct role, but don’t tell me that the three were not aware of each other’s disgruntlement and that it did not have a role in Choudhury’s downfall.
The FCO did not suddenly on a whim pluck Choudhury out of here. Had to be based on reports coming out of here.
And I don’t think it could have been about back masssges and mother in law troubles .
2:14 read your post again and them engage Brain. Would the FCO really allow locals to dedicate how they treat their Governor! Get mental help if you really believe that!
So you think it was about a back massage and power struggle in the Governor’s Office? No friend. Had to be more. I don’t think the Caymanians initiated it, but I do believe there was collusion.
Also, don’t forget Alden was in London when this went down and the FCO did speak to him. I doubt he would have taken the opportunity to lament Choudhury’s misfortune.
Don’t forget too the colour of Choudhury’s skin and his heritage — the British fraternity were probably apoplectic.
FCO investigators were in Cayman. They spoke to civil servants and restaurants and his office staff and house staff.
Bottom line is that because we were not told exact information that all is in a whirl of speculation, fear and uncertainty.
This is pathetic. The UK is pathetic but much better than the alternative of stupidly stepping into the mess of indpendence!!!!
You may not have a choice
Wasn’t the great USA also a British colony?
the only two people who are really happy about this … is Alden and Mckeeva …
and franz…
And Eric Bush
Forbe 8:29 am , you are missing about 3 more happy guys .
My last words on this disrespectful / dishonesty act on the removal of the shortest served Governor Mr. Choudhury , in CI history.
I am happy that he was not fired and jailed/seperated from his family. And this will go down in the history book of Cayman islands , and the karma that follows is longer than all the thatch rope that Caymanians made and exported . FYi that was many ship loads to Jamaica .
smh
DON’T DEFEND A MAN IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT HE DID!
From a Smart Caymanian
Smart Caymanian , you would have to be blind and stupid , to not see and understand what happened in the removal of the Governor . But karma is longer than all the thatch rope that Caymanians made and exported .
Go on then. What happened? I’m going to take a wild stab in the dark it involves a conspiracy theory with zero evidence.
He got nothing
Why is it all so hush hush?
From a smarter Caymanian.
FCO guidelines for internal disciplinary proceedings would be my guess.
Very well said! Whilst I very much wanted him to be exonerated and return to Cayman, defending anyone against unknown charges is asinine.
Yet he’s been re-posted. Couldn’t have been that bad.
Reposted to do what exactly? Suspect the reposting is more like garden leave or Caymans favourite, extended leave followed by a quiet retirement/ settlement.
Caymanian 7: He couldn’t have done much worse in three months than his some of his predecessors — some duzees there.
Duzees?
7:25 finally someone with some common sense.
Ron we are really worried about you. Ask your self this question what would happen to the FCO if they removed a Governor for no good reason. Come on folks please think before posting. Your thought process on this is commical.
Mother’s always tries their best too protect all of her children not just one. The UK is doing just that. The UK maybe seen Mr. Choudury life at threat if they allowed him to return to the Cayman islands to continue his post as the governor for the cayman islands. Also our people do not forget Grand Cayman are knewn for persons gone missing unsolved mysteries. The UK got all of that on their records even our Cayman Islands civil servant young lady that went missing on her job site at the George Town landfill Cayman islands under the watch of our deputy governor the now present acting governor of the cayman islands. The post that the UK have plans to put someone in that post to act temporarily as the cayman islands governor until the UK completes their recruitment process to find a governor again for the cayman islands.
Anonymous 5:46 am , is right in the assumptions that is in the best interest and safety for Mr. Choudhury to not have him put back in the fire . If I had any responsibility in the decision making process, I would have done the same , because all of my trust for them just went out the door , after hearing all the facts in the investigation .
He was self-centered, and didn’t care about anyone unless someone else was watching = narcisist. Anyone who spent more than 5 mins with him when the cameras weren’t rolling worked that out. Either the FCO did not see it, or they didn’t care. Nobody wins here, least of all us. Get the next one right.
12.13 am assuming you are accurate there, my comment would be – So much for the FCO selection process!! Wonder if they can get that right next time? Do not bet on it!
They will be moving all financial services to London while pushing Franz to governor. Back benchers Politicians will be pushing for independence. Good luck
To 11.01 pm How in Heavens name do you believe that “all financial services will be moved to London.” ? The financial services sector is PRIVATE ENTERPRISE and not the property of any government and only regulated by laws made by Govt. Honestly, if that is your understanding of financial matters, stick to fishing buddy, as we do not need that!
I think you will find it is to Dublin, Luxembourg or Gibraltar.
So why wasn’t this announcement made by Lord Ahmad’s ‘spokesman’ who broke the news to Caymanians that Choudhury had been recalled https://caymannewsservice.com/2018/06/cayman-islands-governor-anwar-choudhury-suspended/? Its interesting that Caymanians have not heard another word from the ‘spokesman’ since then. While questions were being asked and petitions were flying around, the ‘spokesman’ turned into a mouse. Surely having stability restored to the governance of these islands has been important to a lot of people and it should have been to him. Yes, you Master McLaughlin. Cat eat yuh or what?
Or does Sir Walter Scott’s infamous statement apply one more time: “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!”
Presumably because if he’s been removed from office he no longer has a spokesman. Who cares?
Attention Mr. Ezzard Miller:
Thank you for saying that Hon. Manderson should remain in his post until another Governor is assigned.
Too much uproar, change and upheaval!
This is all a circus and total disrespect to the Cayman Islands.
Thank you Mr. suck-up at 9:04 for telling another suck-up what he should do so all suck-ups will not fear that their livlihood based upon sucking-up will not be lost, the substance is overwhelming.
6 44…..I am not a suck up. I do not even live there. The bottom line is that you need stability. Do you want independence and become Communist Jamaica?
Hell no, so why would we want to suck-up to a current government or education system that does? We need fresh new people at the helm without the baggage.
Maybe we’ll get Helen back. She was well-liked by the civil servants…no pressure on them to perform and had many happy hours and swims at her beach house. The elites here adored her.
You clearly don’t live in the Cayman Islands as you have said, on the one hand thanking Ezzard Miller, on the other hand asking if we want independence and becoming Jamaica …. FYI Mr. Miller is pro independence.
1108….
If indeed Mr. Miller is for Independence he is deluded and wrong. Independence would be a disaster for the Cayman Islands. Show me a successful place that has gone independent.
USA? Just kidding, you’re right of course.
America…don’t mind me folks…I’m just here for the trolls…
I don’t think Miller is for independence now or in the near future.
But one day, perhaps, in the next several decades, we might have developed to that point, no? Not conceivable?
1108 Honey you seem to have missed what Mr. Suck Up was saying.
Mr Suck Up wants Manderson to remain as acting gov until a replacement Gov is replaced. The article talks about another acting Gov replacing Manderson before lthe real deal or big deal Gov is installed.
Pluse Suck up wanted us to remain under the UK in order for us to maintain the stability that we enjoy under the British Crown. Reread the comments.
To you 8.03 am where do you get “communist Jamaica” from? They once in 1972 elected the Socialist leader Michael Manley who subsequently wrecked the islands economy as a true socialist, and the present Jamaica Labour Party is in power now. Despite their labour union roots, they are very much a free enterprise based political party. From your comment, I see that you know didly squat about Jamaica or it’s politics, and therefore should keep your misguided opinions to yourself and not pollute the CNS waters. I lived in Jamaica for several years, so am qualified to correct you!!!
Miller is right, it suggests that Manderson’s performance has been less than expected in the three months he has been acting. On the other hand, how could Manderson perform to such a level with his little law degree from the local law school as someone put it sometime ago and no experience outside of Cayman?
Has he spent one day abroad working or studying aside from vacations? Come on now
let’s get real, we are surely expecting too much from someone who hasn’t been allowed to properly develop and have world class experience.
Tsk tsk tsk.
The FCO and British government decided to send a brown-skinned, Muslim to govern what many believe to be a xenophobic, super-conservative, fundamentalist-Christian island-nation, only to see us Caymanians embrace him with warm and open arms.
Misson Status: Failed
Back to the ol’ drawing board ol’ chappie!
“xenophobic, super-conservative, fundamentalist-Christian island-nation”
Those descriptions of Cayman are apt and deserved
No one forces Caymanians to act the way we do
We do it willingly then act surprised when people bring it up
Might I remind you that long before he even arrived on island Caymanians were raising a ruckus about his religion and outsiders “imposing their ways on our culture and way of life”
https://cayman27.ky/2017/08/fcos-muslim-governor-pick-questioned-for-our-christian-based-nation
The Imam who was here around the same time as the announcement of Choudhury as Governor recieved a similar “Welcome”:
https://caymannewsservice.com/2017/08/imam-knocked-back-on-inter-faith-efforts/
Let’s acknowledge Cayman for what it really is
Cause it ain’t pretty
and that’s why they don’t like when you bring it up
8:28pm and 11:08pm – Exactly what I had been thinking. I couldn’t be said any better than the two of you.
SPOT ON
A Caymanian
Of course, we have a few ignorant naysayers in the native population.
(Pales in comparison to other supposed leading nations.)
HOWEVER, considering said population is now 50:50 at a minimum in terms of natives:immigrants (yes, that includes our lovely Brits and such), and the fact that Choudhury himself and his family constantly raved of the warm welcome they received – I would say you’re quite full of it.
I encourage you to examine the true democratic reasons for Brexit and President Trump in the respective countries if xenophobia and prejudice is what you’re looking for.
Not my country which has TRIPLED its population in less than 40 years without so much as a blip on the radar of unrest.
Nice try though.
Brown skin in the Caribbean – there’s a rarity!
It is most definitely a rarity; in terms of colonial positioning. In fact, unicorn sightings are just a tad more common.
Anyway, as we see, it didn’t last long eh.
Wonder what they’ll send next time…
They might send a half blond and half brunette , a yes woman .
You mean Caitlyn Jenner?
Wow! Choudhury remains a valuable resource to the UK, don’t have to worry about looking a job. This speaks volumes. It has been said that Karma is a……let’s wait this one out. Choudhury was removed from the Cayman Islands but I can guarantee y’al where he is he can sit comfortably and read in the not too distant future perhaps with a pint of lager or gin and tonic about the asses he left behind… ????
The only thing worse than Mr. Chaudhary being gone is Helen Kilatrick coming back. Pass the wine please.
Least effective person I’ve ever seen. Her performance on that ridiculous Guardian/BBC documentary was utterly pathetic.
Never underestimate the power of Matthew Forbes. We should be very afraid.
I wish the Cayman Islands government was as strict, when it comes to bullying in the work place, as the UK is.
Now this is the real deal. AGREED.
I find the fuss over this baffling. The Governor is the UK representative who is there to see to the UK’s interests. Whether the Governor is suitable is matter for the government in London and the government in London alone. Quite why territorials think it is a matter for them is hard to fathom; it seems to reflect a misunderstanding of what his role is.
Pit Bull: I returned to read your post again. Something about it bothers me.
You know all of what you say may be true, but I just cannot get to that cynical place not to hope that a governor might actually have some remit for looking out for the best interest of the people of the territory that he governs.
I must obviously be caught in some unreal time warp, but if this is the true reality, I don’t . want. to be a part of . this . any more.
Pit Bull , sound like you just got through smoking one of those 2lb paper bag Bob Marley splifs .
Correction to my above comment , not Pit Bull , intened to Anonymous 1:00 am .
Clearly a Governor and the UK want to the governance of the Cayman Islands to be the best it can. But if the interest of the nation and territory conflict there is no room for uncertainty as to whom loyalty is owed. But my point was different, I could not understand why locals would possibly consider the recall of the Governor was anything other than a matter for the UK government.
We pay the Governors.
The governor’s role is to act in the best interests of the Cayman Islands so far as those interests are consistent with the interests of the United Kingdom. Says so in the Constitution. We specifically negotiated that language, which is not found in any other OT constitution. So we do have a valid interest in who the person is and how they do their job. And if you live in Cayman, wash your mouth out, calling Caymanians “territorials”. Demeaning, degrading, sickening language.
Yes, but the Constitution gives primacy to the interests of the UK, as you note, and confirms that the instructions of the UK government are paramount and mandatory, whereas the views of local government are advisory. So when it comes to whether he is up to his job of representing the UK government, it is a matter for those that instruct him not those that just give him suggestions. And territorials live in a territory, the original poster used a perfectly accurate term for the generic of those living on BOTs.
Actually territorial is the term for a member of a territorial army. It’s a military term. Applying it to native citizens of a 350 year old nation in the plural is dehumanising. Pit Bull might as well have said “dogs”. I agree with the rest of your post, it’s all a simple matter of reading and understanding the constitutional framework that we have.
Actually the word territorial and it’s meaning dates back to the early 17th century whereas the origins of the TA dates back to the 19th century, c.1857.
933….please fill me in on what is so negative about the word territorials. We are a BOT as a British Overseas Territory.
So did you think he meant terrorist.
I fail to see the problem why bo bo should wash out with listerine?
Exactly. As a generic term for someone who lives in a territory “territorial” it is appropriate. If someone is so sensitive that they get their knickers in a twist over the word, that is their issue. I, for one, do not change my language to accommodate the over-sensitive.
He brought back info to the UK of course.
He is a smart and respected man to be in the different positions he held over the years and holds now.
Although Mr. Choudhury has not been fired , but will not returning to Grand Cayman islands, sounds like the investigation is over . Then we can’t get a response from the ones that launched the petition to bring back Mr. Choudhury , are we sure that the petition wasn’t launched by who had the Governor removed from the Islands ?
But I hope that you Cayman islands registered voters don’t forget how worthless and dirty and nasty politics has gotten in CI .
His appointment was just a fact finding mission and his investigation the debriefing, quite a good ruse I might add. Now the boys in black are here to follow up on his findings. Any connection? Nah I don’t think so…
Yep…all a smoke screen for a true scout to report back for the real one to come to make the changes. Its been done before elsewhere.
So the Gov gets canned for asking for a back rub and arguing with his mother in law, but Linford can threaten violence and possibly break laws and not even a investigation?
You are an idiot if you believe the FCO removed a Governor because he was against corruption and worked to improve the civil service. Really how stupid can you be. You mean cleaning one fish and giving a few speeches can really make you think like that.
Huh? You obviously did not read my comment. Read it again and try with some more vitriol.
7:37 pm, you mean with castoroil .
Don’t forget Mckeeva’s homegrown and international shenanigans
The woman beater MLA
Convicted drug dealing MLA
Etc Etc
But the governor was removed with no explanation to the people
Nothing ever proved and no guilty verdicts. Please do not spread gossip and fake news on our honorable speaker.
Anonymous 5:13 pm , why there isn’t any investigation into Linford behaviour , is because he was appointed by the lodge brothers and not by the UK . IF he had been appointed by the Uk, then maybe there would have been some kind of investigation . But it just shows what their moral compass true colors are .
Where there is smoke there is fire. Who says he was in our best interest? Just because he made a good impression doesnt mean he was 100% good for us.
His priority is the UK’s best interests. The UK’s interests have to come before regional interests, especially small regions with tiny populations.
Remember one thing Caymanians we are not Englishmen in the eyes of London even though we may have thought we were. We will probably never know why the Governor was removed. Different FOI rules for the colonies. Just look at history and you will see what was done to other people. We never had anything they wanted but now we have a financial industry and they are determined to take it from us. It doesnt matter how many agreements we sign it will never be enough. Aldin is doing all he can but remember its their courts too. I was undecided about the dock but maybe we ought to build it. Tourism might be all we have left. And as for all those who say go for Independence that maybe what they want us to do. Then they can say we did it to ourselves.
You speak of our Financial Industry, be honest how much of that Financial Industry really benefits Caymanians? Or do we sit outside the walls watching and listening to the party?
What rubbish of course Caymanians benefit!
Plenty of smart Caymanians making big money in our financial services sector.
Over half of your economy is paid for by financial services.
My work permit fees pay the cost of your cousin’s prison sentence.
5.10pm Remember the financial industry was created by expats, mostly British, and still employs a lot of expats.The British Government wants to avoid us being used a haven for criminal activities.There are plenty of opportunities to use Cayman for valid business reasons and only the criminals will be worried. Remember also, banking secrecy hides the activity of local politicians as well, some of whom will certainly not want their dealings exposed.
Bet the next governor will not make the mistake of trying to break-up the civil service playhouse.
4:48 you had better hope Cayman can stay under the UK. People should suspect independence and that is disaster.
If he did the things that were reported in the UK press, then this is the right decision.
Something stinks and it ain’t curry.
Very funny. LOL
Looks like everyone bought into the fluff. Don’t be fool fool.
Exactly right. Credit to him in that he did the PR thing well and a lot of Caymanians were fooled. It helped that he wasn’t white and English of course. But he was an arrogant and rude man in the work environment who ironically had in him the Indian colonial attitude of demanding respect of a different age. Glad he’s gone.
Suspended on full pay for a few months, and returned to London where no doubt he will be pensioned off with a golden handshake. No reasons given for the action taken. Sound familiar?.
Which is exactly what was suggested would happen in a comment on another media outlet website over a month ago. The FCO may be a lot of things but they for sure are completely predictable.
The only difference is that we take a few YEARS to complete the same process …
What a sad moment we knew what we had with Gov. Choudhury, BUT we don’t know what we are going to get????
We never do know what we’re going to get, 3:51.
I never thought for a minute that Franz, Forbes & Alden were smart enough to pull this off. Too bad they don’t use their skills to do something good for Cayman.
the ring club has won again!!
he got the caymankind treatment for trying to put the civil service in order…
Poor Anwar! He got the real #CaymanKind experience.
All ignorant nonsensical comments. He was apparently a loose cannon who shouldn’t have been appointed in the first place.
Big difference between a loose cannon and a straight shooter.
Perhaps you should talk to someone who experienced this man?
He was Cayman sleazes’ greatest nightmare.
The senior civil service had no idea how to handle him, he expected them to do their jobs and they cried to Daddy.The pot that is Cayman has already been divided between the British pirates and their local lackeys. There is no room for anyone else or boat rockers.
Anwar rocked the wrong boat.
A loose canon and has been in the service for all these years?? Really???
The thing about a “loose cannon” is that it tends to keep EVERYONE on their toes … especially any otherwise useless and lazy crew members. A VERY effective tool given the right application.
With his track record and the late stage of his career to suggest that is unfathomable. Surely he was properly vetted and checked out in all aspects before his assignment here. Caymanians should now have a say going forward in the selection process considering we pay the Governors and they stay in our house.
The problem is that his career is pretty much over unless he can ask for clarification of his name. Unknown allegations can mean anything. He needs to fight heard to clear his name.
When are we going to understand that we for have a right to people personal info . A decision has been made live with it.
CNS, it is rather disingenuous to say that because he is not returning, it shows that he was not completely cleared in the absence of facts. It should be obvious that is far easier to recall a single person
when so little is really known. Since the facts are not known then his recall should not be the subject of further speculation. The life of a man and his family are at stake here and respect should be shown at all times. Put yourself in his shoes.
Agreed. I was a little perturbed at the speculation by CNS too. I can think of a number of reasons why he wouldn’t return and that wasn’t one of them.
‘Short-term successor?’ Is Helen Kilpatrick still on-island?
Governors after their terms should be barred from entering Cayman unless granted permission by Cabinet.
W9:41am, she did nothing during her tenure and everything was in disarray when Anwar came along. He tried to straighten things out and get the relaxed bodies to get to work. He highlighted too many deficiencies and saw that certain things were brought up to date,, which didn’t bode well with his subordinates.
It’s just colonialism to think that it can only take a British Governor to rule over politics and public service in Cayman or any OT. Those who were hell-bent on getting the Gov back, did they make written submission or plan to go before the FAC to present their case for a “new relationship” with UK?
This is the 21st century. There are many educated and wise local persons who can deal with Cayman issues, better then Brexit is being dealt with by the EU (UK).
We now know knowledge and understanding comes from God and not across the Atlantic or Caribbean sea.
Supoort locals and develop ways to hold them accountable.
Then have the bravery to go Independent and stop bleating like a helpless sheep.
Support Local,
I have lived here for 50 years and I’m still waiting for you to develop ways to hold locals accountable, particularly in LaLa Land aka the Civil Service.
At his pay grade he can retire next year anyway. Looks like the FCO pulled him for simply doing his job and he did a deal to hush it all up.
CNS – you can forget your FOI requests because you won’t get zip on this. It’s going to be classed as personal information and under the UK’s DPA that’s protected – trust me I’ve been there!
He stepped on too many toes and paid the price. Our greedy selfish leaders tarnished this mans name for their own gains. Disgusting!
He was never here long enough to make an impression on anything really, be honest no one knew him really
But in that short time he made it plain that he was going to light rockets up certain asses and rock the civil service boat more than just a little bit.
Rubbish Junior!!! He was loved and built tremendous rapport with many of us natives. For you Junior rapport might be too big a word so what I mean to say is that he got along just great with many of us down to earth types that vote. We dont care that he was Muslim. It was ok.
This is surely a sad day for the people of the Cayman Islands. Gov Choudhury would have cleaned up alot of the mess circulating within the Civil Service. Its sad that we will never know the truth behind his recall. Sad!!! Sad!!!
Too much pitty patty corruption. Straight up. People in the street are sick and tired…wont be long.
*may have
Let’s not act as if the outcome was assured just based on a first impression
Well played Matthew Forbes, Franz and Alden you have successfully removed the only person who was keeping the politicians and civil servants accountable.
I pray, I pray, I pray that who ever comes next – is 10x the man that Gov Choudhury is, and will whip them into shape within days and hours. That’s what I pray… but I’ll wait.
Can MI6 now recall Matthew, please? Thanks.
The Uk was just shaking the tree, now they know who is causing all the problems.
3:18 If you think the FCO don’t know where the problems lie here you’re sadly mistaken. At least one of the senior officials running the FCO’s OT desk in King Charles Street was working out here when most of today’s leadership were clawing their way up the bottom rungs of the political ladder – they for sure know where all the bodies are buried but I’m guessing it’s not expedient to expose this. Where Choudhury tripped himself up was telling it like it is and not, as the FCO are doing (and I suspect Kilpatrick, Jack, et al did), using it as leverage.
Oh they knew, and now they have all the evidence to back up all the reports. Good luck, your time is about up.
6:20 You got the last part right. Governor’s in past may have smiled sweetly and said the right things but they always ran things behind the scenes simply by having the MLAs and senior civil servants who counted by the proverbial balls.
If you look back at Choudhury’s predecessors you’ll see a clear pattern – for at least the past three decades they’ve either worked out their term and, like Duncan Taylor, moved on with promotion or, as happened with Stuart Jack, come over here as a pre-retirement posting. Not one of them has stood up and said anything remotely controversial because that’s not what the FCO sent them out here to do. Even during Tempura the Governor’s office made great efforts to distance itself from the fiasco that unfolded.
This all stinks of what happened to Dan Duguay when he started rocking the boat. He was replaced by someone who (according to some sources) was a political appointee without even the necessary experience to take on the job. Dan’s replacement then produced a lot of impressive looking reports but didn’t actually change anything before leaving to take up a very well-paid job with OECD.
7:36 am, your last paragraph is breathtakingly rubbish, other than the OECD part.
Yep, we’re f**ked now.
GOAB 4th Flr : I believe you are directing those thankyous to the wrong persons. Try thanking the FCO who I believe saw him as a maverick more interested in the needs of Cayman rather than those of the UK.
And we WILL NOT forget.
I guess we have to rely on Ezzard now
You should do stand up with material like that.
lololololololololol
Accountability is something strange to the government. Rather the sort out the problems in the civil service, those responsible are more concerned with awarding themselves MBE,s.
GOAB 4th it’s sad that you admit that you needed a Governor to whip you into shape. Shut up and do some work. It’s 2:14 and instead of working you are posting stupid ill informed disgusting comments.
Rule no 1 if you don’t know the facts and non of us do. Shut up!!